It's been so many years since they sold their souls, jerseys and backsides to Sheikh Mansour, that the people of Manchester have probably forgotten what a real football club looks like.

You know, a real club, with a real pedigree, real fans and an image that hasn't been completely rinsed and sanitised.

There is, of course, nothing to play for in tonight's Champions League dead rubber but who knows, the Citizens (which has to be one of the worst nicknames for a club ever) might well learn a thing or two from Glasgow's Bhoys.

Read More

Here are a just few reasons why, for all their money in the bank, City aren't a patch on the Hoops.

True 'greats' and legends

The home side admittedly boasts some of the finest players in the world in their starting XI, but for every one of them it's all about the money. Take a glance back through the clubs' respective lists of all time greats and you'll get a measure of their real standing. Before the cash rolled in and the likes of Aguero were paid in full, Colin Bell was voted City's greatest of all time. Followed by Bert Trautmann - a man best known for playing with a broken neck. What did Bell win? One FA Cup, one league title, two league cups and a European Cup Winner's Cup.

Jimmy Johnstone in action for Celtic against Rangers in 1967 (Image: Mirrorpix)

Jimmy Johnstone meanwhile got the vote for Celtic and if anyone, for even a second, is going to be silly enough to argue that Bell was the better player, just weigh up the achievements. The City man would be blinded by Jinky's glittering array of 19 senior trophies, which include the European Cup.

History

Noel Gallagher at Celtic Park (Image: SNS Group)

Take away the foreign cash and celebrity fans (Noel Gallagher and Ricky Hatton) and what would City really be? A yo-yo team. A 'sleeping giant'.

Read More

Another Leeds United bumbling about in the lower leagues with a huge support and 'untapped' potential. Celtic meanwhile have a true pedigree and earned a reputation as one of the true European giants. Any prestige that Man City have now has been purchased and their qualities, however enticing, are the football equivalent of a boob job.

Fans

(Image: Reuters / Russell Cheyne)

City have, to their credit, always had a reputation as the real working class club in that fine city. In fact, they are quick to highlight that they are in fact the only team really in the city - with Old Trafford out of the bounds. But the voices in the stands have got noticeably quieter since the move away from Maine Road and a connection has been lost.